ORDER ERICINEJE, OR HEATH TRIBE. 469 



G41. The foregoing description applies especially to the true 

 Heaths : there are many other species belonging to the order, 

 which present several variations from it. For example, the 

 calyx and corolla may be formed of five pieces, instead of four ; 

 the number of stamens may be equal to that of the petals, 

 instead of double ; and the number of cells in the ovary is vari- 

 able. The essential characters of the order are the hypogynous 

 stamens, and the opening of the anthers by pores. To this group 

 belong the Rhododendrons, Kalmias, and Azaleas, which are 

 now so abundant in our gardens ; giving them cheerfulness, by 

 their evergreen aspect, even in the depths of winter ; and 

 making them gay, with their beautiful blossoms, through the 

 warmer parts of the year. The two former are natives of Ame- 

 rica ; the latter comes from Asia Minor ; but they are now all 

 naturalised in this country, though liable to injury from the 

 cold of winter, unless they are planted in sheltered situations. 

 The Rhododendrons and Azaleas differ from the rest of the 

 group in the irregularity of the corolla, which has unequal divi- 

 sions and spreads open at the mouth ; the stamens, too, are bent 

 towards one side. The Kalmia is remarkable for the manner in 

 which the stamens are held down by the corolla, until the 

 pollen is ready to be shed ; the filaments are curved outwards, 

 away from the pistil ; and the anthers are lodged as it were in 

 little niches in the corolla, by which they are held, until the 

 complete expansion of the flower, or any cause (such as the con- 

 tact of insects) which gives the filaments a slight movement, 

 sets them free, and they rise up with a spring, scattering the 

 pollen on the stigma. 



642. To what has already been stated of the geographical 

 distribution of this order, it may be added that it is not abun- 

 dant in Asia, and that it is almost unknown in Australia, 

 where, however, its place is supplied by another, which differs 

 from it in little but the structure of the anther. The general 

 quality of the group is astringency; and several species have 

 been used in medicine. Many species have succulent berries for 

 fruit, which may be used as food ; this is the case with the 

 Arbutus, sometimes called Strawberry tree, from the flavour 



